Electric switch



NOV. 12, 1946- FARMER ET AL 2,411,086

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 1945 Patented Nov. 12, 1946 ELECTRICSWITCH Edward B. Farmer, Newton, and Edwin L. Lawson, Allston, Mass.,assignors to General Control Company, Boston, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts Application January 13, 1945, Serial No. 572.603

This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly toswitches of I the so-called telephone type comprising a frame, groups ofswitch contacts mounted on the frame, and an actuator pivotally mountedon the frame to swing from a'midposition to either one of two pp sidepositions to establish difierent circuit connections. For differentconditions of use it is desirable to retain the switch in differentpositions. Sometimes it is desirable to have the switch remain in anyone of the three positions until manually moved to another position, andsometimes it is desirable for the actuator to remain only in its sideposition and not in the midposition. Objects of'the present inventionare to provide means for yieldingly retaining the actuator in positionwhich is simple and economical in construction, which permits the switchto be adapted for any one of various uses merely by selecting one ofvarious interchangeable parts in the assembling of the switch and whichis durable and reliable in use.

According to the present invention the switch comprises a frameincluding two side portions with a space therebetween, a switch actuatormovable back and forth in the space, a detent bar bridging the spacewith one Or more notches therein, and a spring-pressed detent mounted onthe actuator for engagement in the notches to hold the actuator inposition, so that the switch may be adapted to hold the actuator in anyone of various positions by using a detent bar having the notchespositioned as desired. Preferably the aforesaid side portions havealigned openings therein and the detent bar has its ends mounted inthese openings. In the preferred embodiment the aforesaid notches are inone edge of the detent bar and the actuator is bifurcated to straddlethe edge, the spring-pressed detent being mounted in a socket in theactuator.

For the purpose of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention isshown in the accompanying drawing in which Figs. 1 and 2 are sideelevations;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom end elevation;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a side view of a modified detent bar.

The particular embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose ofillustration comprises a one-piece frame I having side portions 2 and 3with a space 4 therebetween, a circular head 6 and a flat bottom portion1 of reduced thickness. The bottom portion 1 is bifurcated to receive a5 Claims. (Cl. 179176) block 8 which has flanges overlapping the edgesof the slot in the frame portion 1 and side extensions 9 projecting fromopposite sides of the frame.- Mounted on the extensions 9 by means ofscrews H and plates l2 are groups of contact springs 13 and M. The block8 is secured to the frame by means of a screw l0 extending through theblock and threading into the frame.

As shown in Fig. 3 the head 6 of the frame'has a vertical openingextending therethrough and pivotally mounted in the opening is anactuator l5 having a ball portion l6, and projecting upwardly therefroma threaded extension I! upon which a handle I8 is threaded. The actuatoris pivotally mounted in the head 6 by means of a pin l9 extendingthrough the ba11 portion. The upper end of the head 6 is threaded toreceive a nut 2| formounting the switch on a panel. The pin I9 fitstightly in the frame but loosely in the ball I 6 so that the actuator isfree to swing freely on the pin. Extending laterally from the actuatorl5 are the opposite ends of a pivot pin 22 which carry rollers 23 and 24for actuating the groups of contacts l3 and I4.

Bridging the space 4 is a detent bar 26 having its opposite ends mountedin the side portions 2 and 3, the end of the bar being held in theopenings in any suitable way as by upsetting or expanding the ends afterthey are inserted in the openings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the upperedge of the bar 26 is provided with three circular notches 21, 28 and29.

The lower end of the actuator I5 is provided with a socket 3| containinga spring 32 and a ball detent 33, the detent being adapted to seat inany one of the three notches 21, 28 and 29 in the bar 26. The extremelower end of the actuator I5 is slotted at 34 to straddle the bar 26,the bar fitting the slot loosely so that the actuator may move freelywhile being guided by the bar.

If the switch is the kind in which the actuator should be yieldinglyretained in any one of the three positions until manually moved toanother position by means of the handle I8, a bar 26 having threerecesses is used. However if the switch is the kind in which theactuator should always remain in one of its side positions but never inits mid position, then the detent bar should be shaped as shown at 26'in Fig. 6, having notches 27' and 29' corresponding to 2! and, 29 inFig. 5 but, instead of the notch 28, having a central protuberance 28'.Thus if the switch is released in mid position it will snap to the rightor to the left. By retaining the actuator in position by a detent barsuch as described the switch may be adapted for any one of various kindsof use merely by selecting the proper bar. Thus it is possible to carryin stock switches which are completely assembled except for the detentbar and springpressed detent. Then when orders are received these partsmaybe quickly added to complete the assembly to 'suit the type of use ofthe particular customer. By providing the springpressed detent in theend of the actuator the actuator need not be changed for different kindsof use and a very compact construction is afforded. By using a one-pieceframe in which all portions are integral, a rigid but inexpensiveconstruction is provided. 1 p e It should be understood that the presentdisclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

1. An electric switch comprising. a frame including two side portionswitha ls pace therebetween, a switch actuator movable back and forth insaid space, a detent bar bridging the space with one or more notchestherein, and a spring-pressed detent mounted-on said actuator forengagement in said notches to hold the actuator in position, wherebythe, switch may be adapted to hold the actuator in any one of variouspositions'by using a detent bar having the notches positioned asdesired.

2. ,An electric switchcomprising a frameineluding two side portions witha-space therebetween and aligned openings therein, a switch actuatormovable back and forth in said space, a detent bar havingits endsmounted in said openings and having one or more notches therein, and aspring-pressed detent -mounted on said actuator for engagement in saidnotches to hold the actuator in position, whereby the switch may beadapted to hold the actuator in any one of various positions by using adetent bar havin the notches positioned as desired.

adapted to hold the actuator in any one of various positions by using adetent bar having the notches positioned as desired.

4. An electric switch comprising a frame ineluding two side portionswith a space therebetween, a switch actuator movable back and forth insaid space, a detent bar bridging the space with oneormore notches inone edge, said actuator having a socket facing said edge and beingbifurcated to straddle the edge, and a spring-pressed detent mounted insaid socket for engagement ,in-said notches to hold the. actuator inposition, whereby-the switch may be adapted to hold the-actuator in anyone of various positions by using a detent bar having ,the notchespositioned as desired.

5. Antelectric switch comprising a frame including two side portionswith a space therebetween and aligned openings therein, a switchactuator movable back and forth in said space, a detent bar havin itsends mounted in said openings and having one or more notches in oneedge, said actuator having a socket facing said edge and beingbifurcated to straddle the edge, and a spring-pressed detent mounted insaid socket for engagement in said notches to'hold the actuator inposition, whereby the switch may be adapted to 'holdthe actuator in anyone of various ositions by using a detentbar having the notchespositioned as desired.

- EDWARD B. FARL/IER;

EDWIN L. LAWSON;

